Grief and Gratitude Can Co-Exist

It’s not either or.

I‘ve always believed that we get more of whatever we focus on in life. It’s a simple philosophy.

Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. Yea. It makes sense.

To be honest, I haven’t always focused on good stuff. Most of my life I did the opposite: I focused on what was ‘missing' a lot. I’m learning to do the opposite now.

It almost always has to do with Gratitude. I believe intensely in the power of Gratitude. I write about this topic a lot like this post from a few months ago:

You might think, “Well, of course it’s easy to be grateful when things are going well”.

You might ask: “How do I stay grateful in the midst of a ton of grief?? Can it be done?”

I believe you CAN feel Grief in the midst of Gratitude and you can feel Gratitude in the midst of Grief.

I don’t believe in focusing on grief but, I think we should at least acknowledge it. Unless you’re some alien-being and you have zero grief in your life, I think everyone has some.

Many say, we must ‘feel it to heal it.” If we are grieving we must then focus at least some of our attention on our grief.

My inner wise voice, (who I sometimes call George Burns — yep, the old comedian!) suggested I try this excersize today. Even though I’m smack dab in the middle of some serious shitty grief I also want to be grateful.

Here’s the suggestion:

List 3 things you are GRIEVING OVER and 3 things you are GRATEFUL FOR: It helps to realize both can exist simultaneously.

OK. I’ll start:

3 Things I’m Grieving Over

1. My dad is dying yet still being an asshole.

2. The world climate and political issues feel like almost constant grieving in my soul. (Loads of grief just living on this earth.)

3. My mom is still clueless about why I don’t choose to talk with her.

3 Things I’m Grateful For

1. Great people in my life — wonderful friends, and my man Bob.

2. 4 gorgeous lovable cats.

3. My health

Your turn! Add your list if you’d like to. I’d love to hear the 3 things you are Grateful for and 3 things you are Grieving.

I think it’s a great way to put life into balance and perspective!

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